Wearable apparatus

ABSTRACT

A wearable apparatus capable of altering a physiological parameter such as the heart rate of a user to provide a relaxing or stimulating effect on the user is provided. The apparatus comprises a device capable of engaging the patient&#39;s skin to provide a rhythmic tactile stimulus to the user that can alter the user&#39;s heart rate and an arrangement for securing the device to the user such that the device can apply the stimulus to the user. The apparatus may be part of a system enabling the device to be controlled remotely. The apparatus may also be configured to provide additional tactile stimuli.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a wearable apparatus and, in particularbut not exclusively, to a wearable apparatus that can alter a person'sheart rate by providing a stimulus impulse.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Many devices are available for monitoring various physiologicalparameters such as heart rate and administering treatments. For example,US2010/0204595 discloses a heart monitoring system for treating acondition of a user exhibiting an abnormal heart rate. A heart ratemonitor monitors one or more heart rate parameters of the user. Aprocessor receives the parameters from the heart rate monitor andcompares the parameters with threshold values in associated data storageand transmits a signal if the parameters exceed one or more of thethreshold values. An audio device and a tactile device receive thesignal from the processor. Responsive to the signal, the audio deviceprovides an audible sound to the user while the tactile device providesa tactile sensation to the user. The audible sound and tactile sensationare adapted to treat the user's condition, alleviate symptoms of thecondition, or combinations thereof. The tactile sensations are providedto the left and/or right hand side of the user's body to engage bothsides of the user's brain.

There are many reasons why a person may want to alter their heart rate,be this for medical purposes, health and fitness reasons or mental statechange. Other than treatments e.g. of the form described above, this iscurrently achieved through the use of drugs such as caffeine, ortechniques such as meditation. However, these may take up a lot of time,be distracting or have further undesirable side effects.

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention have been devised withthe foregoing in mind.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided awearable apparatus capable of altering the heart rate or otherphysiological parameter of a user as defined in claim 1. Such otherparameters include, for example, breathing. The apparatus may also beuseful in facilitating the alteration of other parameters, for examplephysical parameters such as cadence or stride.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a new method of achievingan alteration in a physiological parameter such as heart rate orbreathing, and additionally or alternatively assisting in achieving analteration in a physical function such as cadence or stride, byproviding a rhythmic tactile stimulus through a vibration or movementfelt by the user that encourages their heart rate to synch-up orsynch-down with the stimulus. That is to say, providing a rhythmictactile stimulus at a rate that differs from the user's currentphysiological rate e.g. heart rate can stimulate, encourage or entrainit to match the tempo of the rhythmic tactile stimulus. The tempo ofthis stimulus can be changed to provide a faster rhythm to raise heartrate and a slower rhythm to reduce heart rate and this can be done atany time during work, rest or play.

In an embodiment, the device is adjustable to change the frequency,tempo, duration and/or intensity of the stimulus delivered to the userand optionally and/or preferably comprises one or more control means foradjusting one or more of the frequency, tempo, duration and/or intensityof the stimulus.

The apparatus may further comprise a device or means to enable tactileand/or gestural interaction by a user with the apparatus. The apparatusmay comprise a capacitive or strain sensor configured to enable tactileand/or gestural interaction by a user with the apparatus. The capacitivesensor may be configured to detect movement, e.g. of a finger passedacross and/or on it. The apparatus may be configured to be responsive tosuch tactile or gestural interaction in order to control operation ofthe apparatus. This advantageously enables a user to easily interactwith the apparatus in order to initiate, change and/or cease operationof the apparatus.

In an embodiment, the device is or comprises a motor-driven vibratorconfigured for delivering the rhythmic tactile stimulus. The device maybe or comprise a piezo-electric actuator, a shape changing material, alinear actuator, or a pneumatic or hydraulic actuator configured fordelivering the stimulus. The device may be or comprise an electriccontact for delivering an electrical pulse that causes a musclecontraction, especially a mild contraction.

As such, the tactile stimulus may be given by a vibration, e.g. providedby a vibration motor or a piezo-electric actuator, or it may be given bya movement by shape changing materials, linear actuators, or pneumaticor hydraulic actuation. The physical stimulus may also be given via anelectrical pulse that causes a gentle sensation and muscle contraction.

The device may be configured to provide stimulus in the form of a singlerepeated beat, or in the form of a double-peaked beat, or in the form ofa beat that substantially matches the form of a user's heartbeat.Advantageously, the applicant has found that pulses that are more akinto a user's actual heartbeat work more effectively in heart rateentrainment.

The device may be further configured to provide a further tactilestimulus to a user and/or the apparatus may comprise a second mechanismor device configured to provide said further tactile stimulus to a user,the further tactile stimulus being different in form, frequency, tempoand/or intensity from the rhythmic tactile stimulus, and beingdeliverable to the user before, with or after the device delivers therhythmic tactile stimulus. The further tactile stimulus (which may ormay not be rhythmic) is preferably an empathic interaction or touchaffective sensation, such as a stroking, squeezing, pinching, twistingof the user's skin. The device and/or the second device may compriseactuating means for producing a tactile sensation by applying pressureto the skin of a user directly or by transmission through a non-rigidand/or flexible part of the apparatus. The actuator may be a linear orcircular actuator configured for movement across the skin and/ororthogonally thereto for intermittent contact with the skin. In oneaspect, the apparatus may comprise a device as described above butconfigured only to provide the empathic tactile stimulus, i.e. withoutthe rhythmic tactile stimulus.

Embodiments of the invention therefore enable the provision of one, two,or even more tactile sensations, which may be the same, similar ordifferent. The apparatus may be configured to provide the tactilesensations together or separated in time e.g. one after another. The twoor more tactile sensations may have different tempos, frequencies,durations, intensities etc. chosen according to the user's wants orneeds. In an embodiment, the same device and possibly the samemotor/vibration element is used to provide the two or more differenttactile stimuli, but this need not be the case.

The device may be worn on the body in order to transmit the tactilestimulus to the user and so may be in the form of a strap or band to beplaced around a limb, or as a sticker or adherent pad to be adhered tothe skin. It may also be attached to other worn items such as clothes,jewellery or accessories, or in the form of a holder or pouch in an itemof clothing or in the form of a piece of jewellery or in the form of anaccessory, e.g. a belt, a child's toy or blanket, or in an item ofbedding, e.g. a bed, mattress, pillow or duvet.

There may also be further elements of stimulus such as visual or audiocues such as a visual and/or audio output that emits light in synchronywith the stimulus. The visual stimuli could be, for example, in the formof visible moving parts, lights or screens. The audio stimuli could be,for example, in the form of audible mechanisms or sounds from a speaker.In an embodiment, the device comprises a transparent portion to enable auser to see said visual output.

Preferably, the device is or comprises a rigid portion to facilitatetransmission of the rhythmic tactile stimulus to the user's skin.

The apparatus may further comprise a data input and/or output to enablethe device to connect wirelessly or via a wire, to an externalcontroller or monitor, e.g. a computer or a mobile phone, in order toalter the settings for the different stimuli, e.g. the frequency and/orintensity of the stimulus. A heart rate monitor and optionally also acontrol capable of altering the stimuli rhythm in response to the heartrate monitored may be provided. The heart rate monitor may be operableto monitor the user's heart rate either in real-time or “offline” torecord a user's resting or previous heart rate for later use.

In an embodiment, the apparatus and/or device is further configured toplay a user's heart beat back to them via tactile, audio or visual meansand, optionally or preferably wherein the playback provides saidrhythmic tactile stimulus. Rather than providing for heart rateentrainment, playback of the user's heart beat acts to provideinteroceptive awareness biofeedback. This also advantageously providesfor increasing the empathic connection between the user and theapparatus. Improved empathic connection may increase the effect ofentrainment and thus improve effectiveness of the device. For example,the apparatus/device could feedback to the user for a short period oftime to increase the user's empathic connection with the device, andthen the stimulus could be applied or increased/decreased to beginentrainment.

The apparatus may further include a clock to activate to provide thestimulus and/or deactivate the device and stop it applying the stimulusat a pre-set time and wherein the apparatus is optionally operable as analarm.

The device may include a power source. Preferably, the device is poweredby a rechargeable battery and may also have the capability toself-charge using piezo-electric or movement based charging mechanisms.

The intensity of the stimuli will generally be enough for the user tofeel but not enough to annoy the user. The intensity of the stimuli maybe alterable. It should not be so intense that it takes the heart out ofa normal heart rhythm.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda system as defined in claim 20. The system may comprise any one or moreof the features previously described.

The device may be configured to communicate with a computer or computingdevice in order to alter the settings for the different stimuli.

The system may further comprise a means for recording a user's desiredheart rate preferences as one or more profiles, the system beingconfigured such that a user can access said one or more profiles via thedevice and/or said external controller or monitor to set the desiredtactile stimulus.

In an embodiment, the external controller or monitor may furthercomprise a clock to activate to provide the stimuli and/or deactivatethe device and stop it applying the stimulus at a pre-set time andwherein the apparatus and/or system is optionally operable as an alarm.

The device/apparatus may also be connected to a mobile phone, tabletand/or other computing devices. This could be done through a wire or viaa wireless connection using Bluetooth or RFID for example. This couldenable the device to be used as a sympathetic alarm clock to aid insleeping and waking.

The stimulus may be applied by a motor-driven vibrator, a piezo-electricactuator, a shape changing material, a linear actuator, or a pneumaticor hydraulic actuator. Delivering the stimulus may comprise deliveringan electrical pulse that causes a muscle contraction, especially a mildcontraction. The electrical pulse may be in the form of a singlerepeated beat, or in the form of a double-peaked beat, or in the form ofa beat that substantially matches the form of a user's heartbeat.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided amethod of altering the heart rate of a user as defined in claim 24.

The method may provide for reading the heart rate of the user to thenalter the stimuli rhythm continuously and responsively. The method mayimplement any one or more of the features previously described.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises providing a furthertactile stimulus to a user, the further tactile stimulus being differentin form, frequency, tempo and/or intensity from the rhythmic tactilestimulus, and being deliverable to the user before, with or after therhythmic tactile stimulus. The further tactile stimulus may be anempathic interaction such as a stroking, squeezing, pinching, twistingof the user's skin.

The rhythmic tactile stimulus may be delivered to the user by a devicethat is held against the user by an arrangement that is in the form of astrap or band placed around a limb, or is in the form of an adherent pador in the form of a holder or pouch in an item of clothing or in theform of a piece of jewellery or in the form of an accessory, e.g. abelt, a child's toy or blanket, or in an item of bedding, e.g. a bed,mattress, pillow or duvet.

The method may further comprise providing a visual or audio output thatemits light in synchrony with the rhythmic tactile stimulus.

In an embodiment, the heart rate of the user may be monitored andoptionally the rhythmic tactile stimulus may be controlled in responseto the heart rate monitor.

The rhythmic tactile stimulus may be provided at a rate that representsthe user's desired heart rate, or wherein the rhythmic tactile stimulusis provided at a rate that is slightly less than or greater than theuser's current or resting heart rate and, optionally or preferablywherein the rhythmic tactile stimulus is iteratively increased ordecreased until a user's desired heart rate is reached.

The method may also comprise playing a user's heart beat back to themvia tactile, audio or visual means and, optionally or preferably whereinthe playback provides said rhythmic tactile stimulus.

The device may also be used to help calm children and so be integratedin to toys, blankets or chairs. It may also be used to help bothchildren and adults to sleep and so could be employed in beds, mattress,pillows, duvets or other bedding.

In further aspects there is provided an apparatus and/or system for usein altering the heart rate and/or other physiological and/or physicalparameters. Such parameters may include, for example, breathing, strideand cadence.

The features described above in connection with aspects and embodimentsof the invention may be used separately or in any combination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example andwith reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows an example of the device worn as a band around the wrist;

FIG. 2 shows an example of the device as a sticker adhered to the skin;

FIG. 3 shows an example of the cross-section of the device in contactwith the skin;

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of a possible example of elements thatwould make up the device;

FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate an affective touch mechanism employed in anembodiment of the present invention in both top plan and side crosssectional views;

FIGS. 6a, 6b, and 6c illustrate an alternative affective touch mechanismemployed in an embodiment of the present invention in both top plan andside cross sectional views;

FIGS. 7a and 7b illustrate an affective touch mechanism employed inanother embodiment of the present invention in both top plan and sidecross sectional views;

FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrate an affective touch mechanism employed in yetanother embodiment of the present invention in both top plan and sidecross sectional views;

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary pulse waveform provided in an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 10a is a schematic view of a system incorporating the device ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 10b is a schematic flow diagram showing communication between thesystem components of FIG. 10 a;

FIG. 11 shows experimental results obtained by implementing anembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of the effect changing thestimulus pulse has on a user's heart rate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a device 10 configured to alter auser's heart rate. In FIG. 1 the device 10 is strapped around the wristof a user using a band 12 that may be either hard or soft. The devicemay, of course, also be placed on or around other parts of the user'sbody, through the provision of a suitable band, belt, strap etc.

The device 10 is configured to transmit a tactile stimulus to the user.The tactile stimulus may be provided by a vibrating element 14. Thevibrating element 14 may be or comprise a vibration motor, apiezo-electric actuator, a shape changing material, linear actuator,pneumatic or hydraulic actuation etc. The physical stimulus may be givenvia an electrical pulse that causes a gentle sensation and musclecontraction.

The embodiment of FIG. 1 includes a vibration motor 14. The device 10and/or vibration motor 14 may be at least partially transparent toprovide an additional visual stimulus. That is, the device 10 and/orvibration motor 14 may comprise a transparent portion 16, to enable theuser to see the movement of the pulse generator 14 within the device 10.This advantageously provides a visual stimulus in synch with the tactilestimulus. The casing 18 around the vibration motor 14 is preferablyrigid, or comprises a rigid portion, to transfer the vibration to theuser's skin.

The fact that the motor 14 is visible is important on two levels.Firstly, there is a visual stimulus for the user to further entraintheir heart rate in addition to the applied tactile stimulus. Secondly,the visual stimulus is a mechanical motion demonstrating that thewearable device is operational and performing a function. This can actto strengthen trust in the device, as the user can see it is working andwhat it is doing, and so strengthen the effect.

The device 10 may be provided with one or more control means (notshown). The control means may be or comprise one or more switches orother means for a user to control operation of the device 10. Theswitches may comprise of sensors of movement, gesture or pressure orsimple buttons. The control means may be configured to permit the userof the device 10 to adjust the characteristics of the tactile stimulus(e.g. the intensity, frequency etc.) to suit their requirements and/orcomfort levels.

In FIG. 2, showing an alternative embodiment, the device 10 is adhereddirectly to the skin to allow for placement anywhere on the body. Thevibrating element 14 may be or comprise any of the tactile devicesmentioned above, e.g. a piezo-electric actuator, and will be held firmlyagainst the skin to transfer the vibration to the user.

In FIG. 3 the cross section shows the vibrating element 14, being heldagainst the skin S, and transferring vibration (V). It is held in arigid container 18 that transmits vibration (V), with a clear section 16to see the interior elements 14.

In FIG. 4 the exploded view shows a possible combination of elementscomprising of a rechargeable battery 20 that powers the device 10. Thedevice 10 also comprises an open vibration motor 14 that provides thetactile stimulus as a vibration and also a visual stimulus through themotion of the moving parts. A circuit board 22 is operable forcontrolling the stimulus rates and inputs. A wireless connection in theform of an RFID or Bluetooth chip 24 is provided and which is configuredto connect to other devices for the purpose of changing the stimuli andfurther functionality. For instance, one or more capacitive devices orswitches and/or a strain sensor 26 enable tactile and gesturalinteraction with the device, e.g. in the form of stroking and squeezing,to work as the inputs to change the stimulus tempo. As described above,the apparatus comprises a rigid housing 18 to better transmit thevibration, and a clear viewing window 16 to see the mechanical motion ofthe open vibration motor 14, all mounted on a silicone wrist band 12.The RFID or Bluetooth chip 24 may be used to calibrate the device 10 andset the parameters of the stimulus. The stimulus is initiated orincrease/decreased when the user interacts with the device 10. In theembodiment shown, a capacitive sensor 26 is operable to detect movementsuch as a user, for example, stroking or squeezing the device 10. Thetype and intensity of the interaction sensed by the sensor 26 determineswhat stimulus is applied. In a simple embodiment, if the sensor 26senses a rapid movement e.g. squeezing this might correspond to apre-set high-rate stimulus; if the sensor 26 senses a slow movement thismight correspond to a pre-set low-rate stimulus. In another embodiment,the intensity of the interaction might also determine the intensity ofthe stimulus applied.

Generally speaking, for the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 4, whether thedevice is worn by the user on a band or suchlike or directly adhered tothe skin, the principle of operation is the same and the tactile and/orvisual stimulus can be provided in the same way. It may be beneficialfor at least a part of the device of FIGS. 2 and 3 to be flexible, tofacilitate adherence to the skin but, if at least a part is rigid, thenthis ensures good transfer of the tactile stimulus to the user's skin.

In addition to the tactile stimulus (pulse) described above, the device10 may be configured to provide an additional tactile stimulus in theform of an “empathic interaction”, such as stroking, squeezing,pinching, twisting the user's skin. FIGS. 5-8 show alternativemechanisms that could be used to provide such a stimulus. This will bedescribed in greater detail below but, essentially, such an “affectivetouch” mechanism can be used to provide a gentle tactile stimulus to auser that mimics the type of stimulus that a user could apply to his ownskin. The mechanisms shown in FIGS. 5-8 thus aim to replicate humantouch.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 5-8, a motor 14′ is provided which may ormay not be the same motor 14 as described above. The motor 14′ may beprovided substantially centrally within the housing 18′, but this is nota requirement—it could be offset from the centre. The housing 18′ may bethe same as housing 18 described above, but need not be. It is clearlyconvenient for the two stimulus delivering mechanisms to be providedwithin the same housing and within the same device, but they do not needto be. The two mechanisms could be provided entirely separately, e.g. ondifferent bands/straps 12, or as different housings 18, 18′ on the sameband 12, or within the same housing 18/18′ using either the same motoror different motors 14, 14′. Any and all combinations are envisaged.

FIGS. 5a and 5b show a first embodiment for implementing an affectivetouch stimulus using a radial stroking arm. A stroking arm 28 is coupledto the motor 14′ and is configured to be driven by rotation of the motor14′ such that the arm 28 describes a circle, or at least a part or anarc thereof, within the housing 18′. In the embodiment shown, the motor14′ is configured to drive the arm 28 backwards and forwards along asubstantially semicircular path 30, the ends of which are defined byelectronic switches 32. When the arm 28 reaches the limit defined by oneof the electronic switches movement of the arm 28 is stopped andreversed so that it travels back along the arc 30 in the oppositedirection. The part of the housing 18′ that corresponds positionally tothe movement arc 30 is or comprises a flexible membrane 34. In theembodiment shown, the housing casing 18′ comprises a groove or a portionof reduced thickness 36 in which the free end 38 of the arm 28 can move.The arm 28 is substantially L-shaped to enable such an arrangement. Theflexible membrane 34 is thus provided to define a base of the groove 36.The arm 28 is positioned so that the end thereof 38 exerts a force onthe membrane 34 and transmits the force F through the flexible membraneonto the user's skin S on the other side thereof. The user can,therefore, feel the pressure exerted and, when the motor 14′ isoperational, can feel movement of the arm 28 as it describes the arcmotion, while the casing 18′ remains sealed.

FIGS. 6a and 6b show a second embodiment for implementing an affectivetouch stimulus using a linear stroking arm. A bar 40 is supported withinhousing 18′ by holders or supports 42. Alternatively, a unitary supportmay be provided. A linear actuator 44 is coupled to the bar 40 and ismoveable linearly along the length of the bar 40. A protrusion 46 isalso attached to the linear actuator 44 and is linearly moveabletherewith to define a movement path 48. As for the embodiment of FIGS.5a and 5b , the part of the housing 18′ that corresponds positionally tothe movement path 48 is or comprises a flexible membrane 34. The housingcasing 18′ comprises a portion of flexible membrane 50. The protrusion48 is positioned so that the end thereof 38 exerts a force on themembrane 50 and transmits the force F through the flexible membrane 50onto the user's skin S on the other side thereof. The user can,therefore, feel the pressure exerted and, when the motor 14′ isoperational, can feel movement of the protrusion 50 as it traverses thelinear path, while the casing 18′ remains sealed.

FIG. 6c shows a further alternative embodiment, which may be employedwith the arrangement of FIGS. 6a and 6b or separately, whereby theprotrusion 46 is mounted with respect to the linear actuator 44′ toprovide for a transverse motion 51 with respect thereto, i.e. verticallyup and down as shown in FIG. 6c . In the embodiment shown, the linearactuator 44′ is mounted to the interior of the housing 18′ on anoptional support 52. The protrusion 46 is fixed to the linear actuator44′ and moveable transversely therewith so as to exert a force upon aportion of flexible membrane 50 provided as part of the housing 18′. Theforce F is transferred to the user's skin S. The resulting pressure feltby the user is that of an intermittent pressing on the skin, while thecasing 18′ remains sealed. This could be used alone or in combinationwith the linear stroking mechanism of the embodiment of FIGS. 6a and 6b.

FIGS. 7a and 7b show another embodiment for implementing an affectivetouch stimulus using a circular pulley. A pulley band 52 is mountedaround a plurality (e.g. two) pulley wheels 54. The pulley wheels 54 arefixed to a static (preferably rigid) base 56 that is fixed to or formspart of housing 18′. The pulley band 52 can rotate around the pulleywheels 56. An outer rotating bevel 58 is fixedly attached to the pulleyband 52 and is moveable therewith. The bevel 58 is configured to contactthe user's skin S. The bevel may be configured to extend beyond thesurface of the static base 56 that is also in contact with the user'sskin S so as to make a higher degree of contact therewith. Movement ofthe pulley band 52, and thus of the bevel 58, describes a circular path60 and causes a force F to be exerted directly onto a user's skin alongsaid path 60.

Finally, FIGS. 8a and 8b show another embodiment for implementing anaffective touch stimulus using a linear pulley. A pulley band 62 ismounted around a plurality (e.g. two) pulley wheels 64. The pulleywheels 64 are fixed to and within the housing 18′. The pulley band 62can rotate around the pulley wheels 56. One or more protrusions ortactile points 66 are fixed to the pulley band 62 and depend therefrom.Movement of the pulley band 62 describes an elliptical path 68. Thesurface of the housing 18′ in contact with the user's skin comprises aportion of flexible membrane 70. The protrusions 66 are arranged so thatthey press onto the flexible membrane 70. Movement of the pulley band 62thus causes a force F to be exerted onto the flexible membrane 70 and tobe transmitted to the user's skin S along said path 68, while the casing18′ remains sealed.

Use of the device 10 will now be described. Generally the user's heartwill respond to the applied stimulus and tend towards a heart ratecorresponding to the frequency of the applied stimulus. Therefore, inorder to increase the heart rate, a stimulus is applied to the user'sskin with a frequency greater than the user's present heart rate;similarly, the heart rate can be slowed by applying the stimulus at afrequency less than user's present heart rate.

Several modes of operation are possible to achieve the desired heartrate. For example, in order to increase a user's heart rate, it ispossible simply to set the desired heart rate on the device and allowthe actual heart to move towards the set stimulus frequency.Alternatively, the user's heart rate could be monitored and the stimulusapplied at a frequency slightly greater, e.g. 5 times/minute greater,than the actual heart rate until the desired heart rate is achieved.Similar regimes could be applied to slow the user's heart rate. That is,the user's heart rate could be monitored and the stimulus applied at afrequency slightly lower, e.g. 5 times/minute lower, than the actualheart rate until the desired heart rate is achieved. In anotherembodiment, the user's heart rate could be monitored and the stimulusapplied as described to increase/decrease the user's heart rate, butwith the frequency and/or intensity of the stimulus being alterediteratively until the desired heart rate is reached. I.e. the user'sheart rate is raised/lowered gradually, step-by-step. The iterations maybe equal in terms of the change of frequency/intensity, orunequal/variable, depending on the desired result. For example, if auser is exercising, they may wish to warm up first and so have a slowincrease in heart rate, and then have a higher intensity workout and sothe stimulus pulse could jump up to a higher level.

FIG. 9 shows, in dashed lines, an exemplary pulse P that may be providedby the vibration element 14 of embodiments of the present invention.This represents a regular pulse P, provided to a user over time, havingan amplitude chosen to produce a tactile stimulus of a desiredintensity. In an alternative embodiment, the vibration or pulse providedby the vibration element 14 is a “double beat” pulse P′, denoted by theunbroken line. Here, each pulse P′ is a double-peaked pulse, each ofwhich provides a desired intensity. The intensity/amplitude of thepulses P, P′ does not have to sit within the same envelope—FIG. 9 is byway of example only. The frequency and intensity of each pulse P, P′ canbe chosen to meet a user's requirements. A double pulse P′ is closer toa person's actual heartbeat, since the two sides of a person's heartbeat separately, and it is therefore believed that a user will have moreaffinity with a device configured to operate in this way and thus thatthe device will be more effective. Employing a double-beat pulse that iscloser to a user's heart rate than a single pulse is believed to improveperformance of the device. In a further embodiment, a level ofvariability could be introduced in the double beat pattern to moreclosely simulate a healthy heart beat.

FIG. 10a is a simple schematic of how the device 10 can be used in acommunications system 150. As mentioned above, the device 10 maycommunicate with a mobile phone, tablet and/or other computing device301. The computing device 301 is preferably configured to transmitinformation to the wearable device 10, but may also/instead beconfigured to receive information therefrom. The wearable device 10 ispreferably configured to transmit information to a cloud network 201and/or may be configured to receive information therefrom. It is,however, desirable to keep the size of the device 10 small, for reasonsof fashion, comfort and/or useability. A further determinative factor inthe size of the device 10 is the battery requirement. To minimise thesize of the device 10, therefore, it is desirable to provide some ormost of the computing/processing components and features in thecomputing device 301 rather than in the wearable device 10. Thecomputing device 301 is preferably configured for two-way communicationwith the cloud 201, but the communication may instead be one-way.

FIG. 10b is a flow chart depicting a system and interaction between thedevice 10, the mobile/computing device 301 and the cloud 201. Unbrokenline arrows represent interactions between a user and the device 10.Broken line arrows represent data flows within and between the differentsystem components. Generally speaking, the steps fall into threecategories: processes of and/or interactions 100 with 100 the wearabledevice 10; processes 200 carried out in the cloud storage 201; andprocesses 300 carried out by software or an application on a connectedcomputing device 301, such as a mobile phone, tablet etc. Communicationsbetween the device 10, the computing device 301 and/or the cloud 201 maybe achieved via a wired connection, but preferably by a wirelessconnection such as Bluetooth or WiFi.

Firstly, the processes 100 carried out by or with the device 10 areillustrated on the right hand side. In step 102, a first tactilestimulus is given to a wearer of the device 10. This tactile stimulusmay be an “empathic interaction”, such as stroking, squeezing, pinching,twisting the user's skin. This is based on techniques that people havepreviously used, e.g. stroking the inside of their wrist, to produce acalming effect. Embodiments of the invention thus build on the empathicmechanisms that humans have learnt in order to calm and stimulatethemselves.

In an embodiment, the first tactile stimulus is provided to the user'sskin using one of the arrangements previously described with respect toFIGS. 5-8. The capacitive sensor 26 is configured to detect movement aspreviously described, and/or the circuit board 22 may comprise a sensorto detect the movement. The circuit board 22 may also comprise aprocessor for analysing the detected movement and extrapolating a tempotherefrom, e.g. equal to the frequency at which the user is applying thefirst tactile stimulus, and to provide this as an input to set thefrequency of the second tactile stimulus. The intensity and/or frequencyof this component may be pre-set or determinable by the user. Forexample, there may be pre-set ‘calm’ and ‘energetic’ settings at low andhigh heart rates respectively. In either case, embodiments of theinvention thus employ empathic techniques in a technical way, to boostthe effect of the entrainment.

Experiments have been conducted by the applicant as to the power ofaffective touch, and to investigate whether that particular sensation,which is used for bonding and communication (particularly of emotion),can be used to create a feeling of body-ownership (that it is part oftheir body) between people and non-human looking objects. The resultsshow that it can, to a degree, and so embodiments of the presentinvention aim to create the same effect in doppel.

By applying the stimulus through a soft ‘stroking’ mechanism (especiallyfor the calming) it could be possible to amplify the effect ofentrainment by making the object ‘feel as if it is a part of theirbody’. This is important because an effect that embodiments of theinvention aim to create, at least in part, is psychological, and so thewhole user experience, and a form of empathy with the object, willincrease its effect.

In step 104, a second tactile stimulus is given to the user. This secondtactile stimulus is a pulse of a predetermined frequency and intensity,as discussed above. The user can control the intensity and/or frequencymanually using the control means. The user can also operate the controlmeans to stop the pulse, in step 106.

Embodiments of the invention thus provide for application of first andsecond tactile sensations to a user's skin. The first tactile sensationis an empathic, affective touch sensation and is provided from the arm28, 38, protrusion 46, bevel 58 and/or protrusions 66 described withrespect to FIGS. 5-8. The second tactile sensation is aimed at alteringthe user's heart rate and is provided by the pulse generator orvibration motor 14 of FIGS. 1-4. Additional tactile sensations could beprovided by these or additional components arranged to provide the same,similar or different tactile sensations as required. The characteristics(e.g. frequency/tempo, intensity, duration etc.) of each sensationprovided may be tailored for the required use. For example, a user mayutilise the first tactile sensation in order to alert/train his body tothe fact that he is about to initiate heart rate entrainment using thesecond tactile sensation (which may be set to provide stronger stimulito the user), or a user may use the first tactile sensation to provide agentle stimulus to ease his heart rate towards the starting stimulusprovided by the second tactile stimulus. Furthermore, since the firstand second tactile stimuli can be different, a user can pick and choosea programme of stimuli that he desires for a particular occasion,providing much greater choice and freedom than has previously beenpossible.

The circuit board 22 of the device 10 records information such as usageof the device 10, the rhythm of the tactile stimulus used (e.g. singlebeat, double beat, pace of pulse etc.), the user's location (a GPSelement may be included in the device 10 or on a connected device), time(e.g. duration of usage, time of day when used), activity etc. (step108). In the latter regard, the circuit board 22 may record whatactivity is being undertaken (which can be determined through means ofdeduction from location, time etc., through deliberate user input, orfrom the ‘style’ of stimulus used e.g. there may be settings for ‘sport’and ‘sleep’). The device 10 may include one or more activity monitorsuch as an accelerometer to monitor the number of steps taken, cadence,altitude, speed etc. during an activity or sport, or to detect movementduring sleep.

Information recorded by the device 10 in step 108 can be communicated tocloud storage 201 (step 110). In particular, in step 202, the usage datacan be analysed for feedback, validation and design iteration of theconnected device application and device 10. This information iscommunicated 203 and used in step 204 to produce application updatesdowloadable to the connected device 301 in step 206. The cloud 201 canalso be used to store user account details and previous user preferences(208). This information can feed into and the connected device (step210) and can be updated by the connected device 301 (as will bediscussed later).

This information can also be used as an input 212 in the analysis ofstep 202. The information can also be used by a learning module where,in step 217, the learning module learns about user behaviour in order toprovide automated services as is discussed in more detail below. Thelearning module can pass this information to the user account, in step218. The cloud 201 can also store 214 a library of rhythms which canfeed into/be read from 216 the connected device 301.

As previously mentioned, the device 10 is also configured for wired orwireless communication with the computing device 301. The computingdevice 301 can run software (an application) that provides the user withgreater control over the device 10 and/or with additional functionality.At step 302, the user can log in to a personal account/profile. Theapplication can access the user's preferred and/or last settings for thedevice 10 through communication with the cloud 201 (step 210). In step304, the connected device 301 reads the user's current or resting heartrate. This can be achieved by using a web cam 303 on the connecteddevice 301 and setting the initial stimulus therefrom. This can beachieved by measuring the colour change in the user's skin due to bloodflush using known techniques. The connected device 301 can conveyinformation relating to the user's resting heart rate to the cloud instep 306. In step 308, the connected device 301 performs a calibration.Here, the user selects the settings they wish to upload to the device 10from manual calibration, previous settings (reading from the cloud instep 310) or from the rhythm library (step 216). Preferences determinedat this step can also be stored in the cloud 201 for future use (step310). In step 312, the rhythm is set and information is sent to thecloud storage 201 in step 314, saving the preferences/information forpotential future use, and information is sent to the device 10. In step318, the desired rhythm(s) is(are) uploaded to the device 10.

The user account, which stores previous user preferences and learneduser information, can pass information (step 220) to an automaticallyinitiated simulation depending on a user set schedule or learningalgorithm (222). This is linked/feeds in 224 to steps 104 and 106 whichrelate to initiating and stopping the second tactile sensation.

Embodiments of the invention therefore provide a system and device thatcan learn about a user's needs and respond to them. The system mayinclude a learning algorithm to process the collected data (userpreferences from step 208 and/or usage date from step 108, for example)and self-calibrate the stimulus. The learning algorithm may also processcollected data from other sources, for example gps data, movement sensordata, schedule information, social media data etc. For example, the gpspattern of the user may infer that they are jet lagged. A sentimentanalysis of the user's emails or tweets may suggest they are stressed ordepressed. Analysis of their calendar may indicate when the user has astressful meeting or an examination. Historical data may suggest thatthe user goes to bed at 11 pm but has trouble sleeping (an accelerometerknows they are tossing and turning for too long after they lie down), sothe device may start gently calming them at 10:30 pm. Or, the data mayindicate that the user likes to go for a run at 8 am and the device canlearn such habits and deliver a stimulus in advance at, say 07:50 am, toenergise them prior to their exercise. This can be done without the userhaving to pre-program the device. The historical information may bestored in the device 10, or in the connected device 301 or in cloudstorage 201.

In the embodiment described above, the connected device 301 is used toread the heart rate of the user and to alter the settings on thewearable device 10. This reading is not done in real-time, and soessentially provides a calibration. The settings for the rhythms arethen uploaded to the wearable device 10 and can be activated at willusing physical interactions on the band independently of the connecteddevice 301. Advantageously, the wearable device 10 can be usedindependently of the smart device 301, so users do not have to be evermore connected. Another advantage is that previous preferences can besaved for different ‘profiles’ for different applications of use. Forinstance, higher tempo levels can be saved for a ‘running and a warmdown’ setting, than for a ‘working late and winding down’ setting.

In an alternative embodiment, the user's heart rate could be monitoredin real-time. A process by which the heart rate of the user is read liveby the wearable device 10 could be incorporated to allow for reactivechanges in the stimulus. The heart rate could be measured using varioustechniques such as a measurement of colour change of the skin, change oflight passing through the skin, electrocardiogram (ecg), movement ofskin surface caused by pulse. This could be used to cause a feedbackloop to change the heart rate of the user gradually by moving it onebeat at a time.

In an embodiment, the device 10 is operable to ‘play’ the user's heartrate back to them. This has two purposes. Firstly, it can be used as a‘bio-feedback’ device so that the user can improve their knowledge oftheir state and learn how to control it through breathing, meditationand/or other techniques. For example, the device 10 may play back auser's heart rate to him for, e.g. 5 minutes, increasing empathicconnection with the doppel, and then the physiologically alteringstimulus may be applied. Secondly, the applicant has conductedexperiments to demonstrate that people empathise with inanimate objectsthat have similar bio-rhythms—as they do with people who have similarbio-rhythms. Heart rate entrainment has been observed betweenpeople—their heart rates synch with one another. Embodiments of thepresent invention aim to achieve the same effect but with an inanimateobject rather than a person. This is a two-way process. If the deviceshows a user his heart rate, he will empathise with it; and if heempathises with the device, he is more likely to change his heart beatto match the beat of the device if it differs from his own. So, bydoppel matching the heart rate of the user with the device stimulus, itwill increase the empathy between the person and the object and againpotentially amplify the entrainment effect.

An important feature of embodiments of the invention is the ability forthe user to be able to alter the pulse rate both through the wearabledevice 10 (via the controls provided thereon) and/or the computingdevice 301. This both provides the user with superior control overoperation of the device, and enables the user to adopt a preference forhow he controls operation of the device 10, which has been found to bean important psychological mechanism. To this end, the user is able toalter the rate of the pulse both through the connected device 301 and onthe wearable device 10 itself. This can be achieved, for example, bychanging a code on the device 10 or changing an analogue signal withinthe device 10. This change will control the stimulus via a pulse widthmodulation (PWM) signal. A signal can alter a variable within the code(e.g. the heart rate, by increasing the delay between pulses) to changethe current or voltage output to the actuator. Alternatively, this canbe achieved through physical alteration of the circuit. For example, ifa potentiometer or variable resistor is used, the current/voltage can beincreased or decreased to increase or decrease the intensity.Alternatively, manually altering the current/voltage through part of thecircuit can be used as a signal to instigate a change by means ofcircuit logic. The intensity of the pulse can also be altered eitherthrough a physical or electrical element on the wearable device 10 orthrough the connected device 301. This can be controlled through avariable resistor that is manipulated physically through the use of alinear or circular actuator in the device 10. This may be achieved byproviding a linear mechanism or a circular bevel around the outer edgeof the apparatus, similar to that provided on watches. The user cantwist the bevel and, through a linkage twist a variable resistor, whichwill then alter the voltage/current. Alternatively, a digital oranalogue signal can instruct the alteration in resistance. This could bedelivered via the connected device 301 or through the use ofbuttons/switches/sliders/dials or other physical control on the wearabledevice 10.

The device and method of the present invention can be used intherapeutic or non-therapeutic applications to speed-up or slow down theheart rate. One may want to speed up the heart rate to increasevitality, e.g. in the morning to get the user going instead of a strongcup of coffee or when feeling lethargic or before exercise. One may wantto slow down the heart rate in order to calm down and relax, e.g. afterexercise or after a stressful workday or as an aid to sleep. Inparticular, the device 10 can be used to raise a user's level ofalertness or to make them feel more relaxed.

FIG. 11 shows a graph showing a user's heart rate in beats per minute(bpm) against time in minutes. The points depicted by the triangles showwhen a stimulus was applied by the device 10. Points A and C representstimuli at relatively high pulse rates, and points B and D representstimuli provided at relatively low pulse rates. The data represented bydiamonds show the user's average measured heart rate and the datarepresented by squares show the user's maximum measured heart rate. Itcan clearly be seen that providing a stimulus at a high pulse ratecauses the maximum heart rate to increase, and providing a stimulus at alower pulse rate causes the maximum heart rate to decrease. The device10 is therefore effective at increasing and decreasing a user's heartbeat on demand. FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of how changingthe frequency of the stimulus pulse iteratively can cause a cumulativeeffect to increase or decrease a user's heart rate.

Of a sample of 15 people who tested using the device, 100% of the samplegroup confirmed that they could feel a stimulus being applied when thedevice 10 was operational and producing a stimulus. Of these 15 people,80% classed the experience as good, with just 20% of people consideringusing the device as a bad experience. Of those that had a positiveexperience, users found application of a low pulse rate to be pleasant,relaxing comfortable and/or calming. Users found application of a highpulse rate to make them feel energetic, alive and/or awake, and/orproduce a fun effect.

The stimulus, as noted above, could react to the readings given byvarious bio-monitoring inputs. This may not just be for astep-up/step-down loop but it could also instigate the stimulus. Byreacting to a signal, for instance increased heart rate, operation ofthe wearable device 10 could be instigated without the user having tointeract with it. By measuring different inputs the wearable device 10could, for instance, determine stress levels, levels of arousal orexcitement. The inputs could be heart rate, skin conductance, breathingrate, pupil dilation, brain activity, temperature etc. Once these reacha threshold level (either greater or lesser) the stimulus would beactivated until the input had returned past the threshold. This would beespecially effective for dealing with stress, anxiety, depression andother psychological problems.

In an alternative embodiment the wearable device 10 could be linked to aclock and/or an alarm, either through connection to another device thatmeasures time, such as the connected device or a separate timing device,or within the device 10 itself. It could then be used to help the userget to sleep more easily and wake up more effectively. To help the userget to sleep the device 10 would gradually decrease the stimulus rateand intensity from a set point down to another set point over aspecified period of time. To help the user wake up the device 10 wouldstart at a specified time before the user wants to wake up. It wouldgradually increase the rate and intensity of the stimulus from a setpoint up to another set point over a specified period of time. Thiscould also be linked with monitoring of biorhythms and movement todetect when the user is in deep or light sleep. This could be used tooptimise the application of the waking or soporific stimuli.

A clear application for the use of a sleep aid/alarm clock would be inhelping people to overcome the effects of jet-lag. For this aprogrammable schedule over a number of days could be implemented to helpthe transition from one time zone to another. The waking stimulus couldbe set to turn on when it is waking hours in the current time-zone, butsleeping hours according to the user's body clock. This would shift asthe user becomes more acclimatised to the current time-zone. Vice versa,the soporific stimulus could be applied when the user should be feelingsleepy and in bed but their internal body clock is telling them to beawake. Again this would shift as their body clock moved towards the newtime-zone.

As a natural intervention, which is seen very strongly between motherand child, entrainment is a safe way to encourage children to sleep andconcentrate. Metronomes are used for concentration and productivity intherapies for ADHD and children experience the same reaction to music asadults. For this a smaller wearable device would be required that needsto be softer and have fewer interactions. When the child is young it islikely that nearly all interactions would be removed from the wearabledevice and it would be completely controlled via the parent's connecteddevice 301.

Entrainment can occur between our internal biological rhythms—heartrate, breathing etc., and other stimuli. It can also occur between ourexternal rhythms such as step rate when walking alongside anotherperson. By providing a stimulus input beat this can be used in asporting context, particularly for training but possibly as aperformance aid in competition if permitted.

Small audio metronomes already exist on the market and are used forthis, although, they can be annoying, distracting and impractical.Headphones prevent the ability of a user to pay attention to theirsurroundings, be that for pleasure or safety on the street. They also donot work for a water-based activity. By moving the computing in to aconnected device 301 but with the wearable device 10 remainingstand-alone, it is possible to create a smaller, lighter wearable devicethat does not require the carrying of a phone or other smart device 301.This frees up space within the device for a battery of better capacity,providing superior battery life. The resulting device is more robust,and relatively inexpensive. Preferably, the device is waterproof (topermit use in water sports etc.). Preferably, a training schedule isprogrammable so interval training, warm ups and cool downs can beplanned in advance (to again avoid the need for the device to containprocessing means to do this, and avoid the user needing to carry theconnected device 301). The training schedule(s) can be uploaded to thewearable device 10. In an embodiment, there is also be a ‘get-going’stimulus that is initiated before the start of exercising if the user isfeeling lethargic and wants to go but is not in the mood. This can beprogrammed to start at a specified time before the user wants to go. Aswith reactive monitoring for heart rate entrainment, this could also beused for cadence entrainment. Cadence is the rate of a repetitive motionsuch as stride frequency, the rotation rate (revolutions per minute, forexample) of bicycle pedals or the frequency of a stroke during swimming.The user's current cadence can be measured and then the stimulus alteredto be slightly higher or lower than that. As the user changes cadencethis can then be stepped again, until they reach their target value.

Experiments by the applicant have suggested that the mechanism at workmay not necessarily be a simple matter of entrainment but, when a userexperiences a tactile stimulus, they actually consider it to be theirown heart rate and so their body responds to it as though it were byaligning their actual heart rate with the applied stimulus. As such, theapparatus can be used to “entrain” other physiological and physicalparameters with the same effect. For example, applying the stimulus maydirectly cause an effect on physiological parameters such as a user'sheart rate and breathing, and may also help bring physical parameters(such as cadence and stride) to a desired pace. Advantageouslyembodiments of the invention provide a psychological effect whereby thewhole user experience, and empathy with the device, increases itseffect.

1-36. (canceled)
 37. A method for providing a relaxing or stimulatingeffect on a user, the method comprising: physically engaging a device tothe user's skin proximate a radial pulse point of the user to provide arhythmic tactile stimulus to the user in form of a beat; and controllingthe frequency, tempo, duration and/or intensity of the stimulus so as toprovide the stimulus proximate the user's radial pulse point at a ratethat is faster or slower than the user's current heart rate to therebyprovide the relaxing or stimulating effect.
 38. A method according toclaim 37, wherein the beat substantially matches a form of a humanheartbeat.
 39. A method according to claim 37, wherein the beat is asingle beat.
 40. A method according to claim 37, wherein the methodalters the heart rate and/or one or more other physiological parametersof the user to provide the relaxing or stimulating effect on the user.41. A method according to claim 37, wherein the stimulus is applied by amotor-driven vibrator, a piezo-electric actuator, a shape changingmaterial, a linear actuator, or a pneumatic or hydraulic actuator.
 42. Amethod according to claim 37, wherein visual or audio output is providedin synchrony with the stimulus.
 43. A method according to claim 37,further comprising monitoring the heart rate of the user and optionallycontrolling the stimulus in response to the monitored heart rate.
 44. Amethod according to claim 43, wherein a heart rate monitor forperforming the monitoring is integrated into the device or separate fromthe device.
 45. A method according to claim 37, wherein the stimulus isprovided at a rate that represents the user's desired heart rate.
 46. Amethod according to claim 37, wherein the stimulus is provided at a ratethat is slightly less than or greater than the user's current or restingheart rate.
 47. A method according to claim 37, wherein the stimulus isiteratively increased until the user's desired heart rate is reached.48. A method according to claim 37, wherein the stimulus is iterativelydecreased until the user's desired heart rate is reached.
 49. Anapparatus for providing a relaxing or stimulating effect on a user, theapparatus comprising: a wearable device configured to engage the user'sskin and to provide a rhythmic tactile stimulus to the user in form of abeat; an arrangement configured to secure the wearable device to theuser's wrist such that the device can apply the stimulus proximate aradial pulse point of the user; and one or more controllers foradjusting the frequency, tempo, duration, and/or intensity of thestimulus so as to provide the stimulus proximate the user's radial pulsepoint at a rate that is faster or slower than the user's current heartrate to thereby provide the relaxing or stimulating effect.
 50. Anapparatus according to claim 49, wherein the beat substantially matchesa form of a human heartbeat.
 51. An apparatus as claimed in claim 49,wherein the beat is a single beat.
 52. An apparatus according to claim49, further comprising a capacitive sensor, switches, and/or buttons,configured to enable tactile and/or gestural interaction by the userwith the apparatus.
 53. An apparatus according to claim 49, wherein thedevice comprises a piezo-electric actuator, a shape changing material, alinear actuator, or a pneumatic or hydraulic actuator configured fordelivering the stimulus.
 54. An apparatus according to claim 49, furthercomprising a visual or audio output in synchrony with the stimulus. 55.An apparatus according to claim 49, further comprising a heart ratemonitor and optionally a controller capable of altering the stimulus inresponse to the user's monitored heart rate.
 56. An apparatus accordingto claim 55, wherein the heart rate monitor monitors the user's heartrate either in real-time or records the user's heart rate, and whereinthe controller controls the stimulus based on either the monitoredreal-time heart rate or the recorded heart rate.
 57. An apparatusaccording to claim 55, wherein the heart rate monitor is integrated intothe wearable device or separate from the wearable device.
 58. Anapparatus according to claim 49, further comprising a data input and/oroutput to enable the apparatus to connect wirelessly, or via a wire, toan external controller or monitor, in order to alter the settings forthe stimulus.
 59. A system comprising the apparatus of claim 49 and anexternal controller or monitor.
 60. A system according to claim 59,further comprising means for recording a user's desired heart ratepreferences as one or more profiles, the system being configured suchthat a user can access the one or more profiles via the apparatus and/orthe external controller or monitor to set a desired stimulus.
 61. Asystem according to claim 60, wherein the system is configured to learna user's preferences based on one or more of the user's profiles, dataon the user's current location, and data on the user's current activity.